SLIDE 5 3/15/2017 5
*Another strong predictor of recurrence risk is severity of primary infection
Benedetti et al, Annals Int Med 1994; 121:847. Benedetti et al, Annals Int Med 1999; 131:14. Photo courtesy of Laura Pincus
Recurrent Genital Herpes
HSV primary infection % with a recurrence within 1 year # recurrences in 1st year HSV‐1 20‐50% 1 HSV‐2 70‐90% 4‐5
Classic “scalloped” border
Test Sensitivity Specifcity Important points
Genital HSV: Diagnostics
Mosely et al, J Clin Microbiol 1981; 13:913. Wald et al, J Infect Dis 2003; 188:1345. Van Wagoner and Hook, Curr Infect Dis Rep 2012; 14:175. Lafferty et al, J Clin Microbiol 1987; 25:323.
PCR ~90% overall 99% Most sensitive test if available DFA Vesicle 70‐90% Ulcer 30% Crusted 10% 99% Rapid (hours) Slight sensitivity c/w culture Culture Vesicle 70‐90% Ulcer 30‐40% Crusted 20‐30% 100% Moderate sensitivity Takes 1‐2 days
Screening for HSV‐2 By Serology?
- New 2016 US Preventative Task Force Recs No!
- Why not?
- Sensitivity 99% but specificity only 83%
- As many false positives as true positives
- When might serology be useful?
- Recurrent genital symptoms and (‐) HSV cultures/PCR
USPSTF, JAMA 2016, 316:2525.
Treatment Regimens: First episode
- Efficacy
- duration of symptoms by 2‐4 days
- No impact on recurrence rate
- Regimens
- Acyclovir 400mg PO tid or 200mg PO 5x/day (7‐10 days)
- Valacyclovir 1gm PO bid (7‐10 days)
- Famciclovir 250mg PO tid (7‐10 days)
CDC, STD Treatment Guidelines 2015. Mertz et al, JAMA 1984; 252:1147.